Natasha Carlson is a third-year PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences Program at UCSD. She grew up in Tujunga, California and earned her B.S. in both Biotechnology and Cellular and Molecular Biology from the California State University, Northridge. Under the co-mentorship of Dr. Pekkurnaz and Dr. Gustafsson, Natasha currently seeks to unravel the molecular cascade that leads to neuronal dysfunction due to accumulating mtDNA mutations at both the subcellular and organismal level by utilizing various interdisciplinary approaches including live-cell imaging, cellular respirometry, and mass spectrometry. Outside of lab, Natasha enjoys drawing, exploring San Diego, and spending time with her boyfriend and cat.